Thursday, September 1, 2011

September 1st is always a very special day, for two reasons. The first is that it’s my wonderful husband’s birthday!!! Happy Birthday, SweetPea - may your year be filled with joy!!

What is the second reason? Well, September 1st is also Diabetes Art Day, a wonderful project organized by my good friend Lee Ann to let our creativity tell our diabetes story.

Last year, I made a Diabetes Voodoo Doll to show how diabetes makes me feel like a human pin-cushion. This year I was having trouble coming up with a project. I wasn’t sure what I was going to create until just this morning. I pulled out my beading and jewelry making supplies and thought about the pretty diabetes necklace Lorraine was wearing at Friends for Life. I’d been thinking about making one for myself, although I’m certainly no jewelry maker. But I got to crafting and it didn’t come out half bad.

It’s a blue circle inspired by the World Diabetes Day symbol. I added a couple of tiny red beads to represent blood - blood sugars, finger sticks, A1Cs . . . . diabetes is quite a bloody disease. I strung my circle on invisible wire to represent that diabetes is an invisible illness.

Believe it or not, after I finished my necklace I did come up with an idea for another diabetes art project. I think I’ll note it on my calendar for next year!! Did you participate in Diabetes Art Day? What did you create?

Ohh, that's fabulous! I don't remember seeing Lorraine's necklace, so I can't compare, but yours is really nice, and I love the red beads. So far I haven't seen any other examples of jewelry making for Diabetes Art Day, so good job getting all original with your crafty genius!

And, huge thanks for helping to make Diabetes Art Day 2011 so successful, my friend :)

I Am . . .

Karen Graffeo

I'm a Knitter living with Type 1 Diabetes. I'm not a medical professional nor am I giving medical advice - I'm just a girl sharing my personal thoughts and experiences with diabetes. I live in New England with my wonderful husband, my adorable cat, and lots and lots of yarn.